Tour Guide Training Programme

Gloucester Civic Trust Tour Guides are specifically mentioned in the citation for the Queen’s Award for Volunteering, received by the Trust in 2013.

There are currently more than 60 volunteer Guides, who take members of the public on a City Tour, 11.00am daily except Sundays, between April and September from St Michael’s Tower, and on booked group tours throughout the year. See Guided Tours of Gloucester.

They also act as Guides and stewards for the Heritage Open Days in September, when many of the historic buildings in Gloucester are open to the public.

The service has been developed over the last four decades through the Trust’s highly successful training programme, with new Guides being trained each year.

It’s a great way to gain more knowledge about local history and it’s very rewarding to pass that knowledge on to both Gloucester residents and visitors to the City.

If you would like to train to be a Guide, you will first need to be a Member of the Gloucester Civic Trust. See Membership.

A qualified Guide will be assigned to mentor you throughout your training

At the beginning you’ll attend a series of weekly evening lectures in February and March, covering the content of the City Tour and other background information

You’ll then be given some practical group training sessions through the spring and summer months by our Training Officer, Chris Morgan, learning guiding techniques and familiarising yourself with the City Tour

You’ll also take part in some of the daily tours alongside your mentor or other qualified Guides

Once you feel confident, you’ll take an exam to qualify for your Gloucester Guide Badge

You’ll then join the rota for daily City Tours and you can also train to lead any of the Themed Tours offered by the Trust

Your new-found knowledge will also be a bonus for any other voluntary work you might like to undertake with Gloucester Civic Trust